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My father was a joiner who lived in nearby Birkenside. In the 70's and 80's he did a lot of work in Harviestoun House and worked on the renovations to turn the house into flats. - I know this because I used to help (hinder?) him at weekends. - it was walking distance to our house. I have been in the house many times but it was a long time ago. My father also built the wooden treehouse - I have also been in this. He was very proud of having done this - it was a bit of a local attraction for all the kids who used to play 'down the burn' which was nearby. There was also a huge chestnut tree in the grounds which the local kids used to get conkers from.
At this time I believe the house was owned by a man called Tom Mitchell - if he didn't own it then he was certainly the man who did the renovations - but the way my dad talked about him I think he was the owner. This would be around the period 1975-1985.
My dad used to do a lot of work for him on other properties especially in Edinburgh so he must have been a property developer.